}}'''Tar-[[Meneldur]]''' was the fifth [[King of Númenor|King]] of [[Númenor]]. Though he was the youngest child of [[Tar-Elendil]], Tar-Meneldur received the [[Sceptre]] due to the old law of royal [[Law of Succession in Númenor|succession]] that existed in Númenor at that time. His elder siblings, [[Silmariën]] and [[Isilmë]], were both female and thus not eligible to rule the realm. Tar-Meneldur's birth name was Írimon, and he also received the title [[Elentirmo]].

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'''Tar-Meneldur''' was the fifth [[King of Númenor]]. Although he was the youngest child of [[Tar-Elendil]], Tar-Meneldur received the [[Sceptre]] due to the old law of royal [[Law of Succession in Númenor|succession]] that existed in [[Númenor]] at that time. His elder siblings, [[Silmariën]] and [[Isilmë]], were both female and thus not eligible to rule the realm.<ref name="Wife">{{UT|Wife}}</ref> Tar-Meneldur's birth name was [[Írimon]],<ref name="Kings">{{UT|Kings}}, Tar-Meneldur</ref> and he also received the title [[Elentirmo]].<ref name="Númenor">{{UT|Numenor}}</ref>

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Meneldur's great passion was stargazing and learning all he could about the Heavens from the lore of [[Elves]] and [[Men]]. To study the movements of the stars, he built a tower in the [[Forostar]], the northernmost part of Númenor, since the sky was clearer there than anywhere else on the isle. Meneldur only left the tower when he inherited the [[Sceptre of Númenor|Sceptre]], but even after becoming King his interest in the stars did not cease.

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Meneldur's great passion was stargazing and learning all he could about the Heavens from the lore of [[Elves]] and [[Men]]. To study the movements of the stars, he built a tower in the [[Forostar]], the northernmost part of Númenor, since the sky was clearer there than anywhere else on the isle.<ref name="Númenor"/> Meneldur only left the tower when he inherited the [[Sceptre of Númenor|Sceptre]], but even after becoming King his interest in the stars did not cease.<ref name="Wife"/>

== History ==

== History ==

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During the rule of Tar-Meneldur, the Númenóreans began exploring [[Middle-earth]] in earnest. Contact with the [[Middle Men]] of [[Eriador]] was re-established, under the guidance of the [[Elves]] of [[Lindon]]. Tar-Meneldur at first encouraged the Númenórean explorers, and allowed his son [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] to establish a [[Guild of Venturers]], which became one of the most powerful organisations in Númenor. Aldarion led many of the voyages to Middle-earth, and he established the first Númenórean settlements in the [[Great Lands]], although none of them were permanent. Aldarion's long absences from Númenor began to cause strife between him and his father, since Tar-Meneldur wanted him to remain on the island and give more thought to taking care of the realm. Eventually, when Aldarion would not yield to his father's will, Tar-Meneldur began taking stricter measures against his son's travels, such as refusing his relatives to bless Aldarion's voyages and limiting the felling of trees in Númenor. However, after Aldarion returned after a particularly long and harsh voyage, he showed respect to Tar-Meneldur again, and the King and his son were reconciled.

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During the reign of his father, [[Tar-Elendil]], the [[Númenóreans]] began to sail eastwards. In {{SA|600}} the [[Captain of the King's Ships]], [[Vëantur]], reached the [[Grey Havens]]. Although Meneldur had no love for the sea he did fall in love with Vëantur’s daughter, [[Almarian]], and married her.<ref name="Wife"/> Together they had three children, a son [[Anardil of Númenor|Anardil]] and two daughters, [[Ailinel]] and [[Almiel]], before Meneldur became king in {{SA|740}}.<ref>{{UT|earlier}}</ref>

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Additionally, Tar-Meneldur encouraged his son to marry, and played a significant role in turning Aldarion's eye toward [[Erendis]]. However, Aldarion's voyages dismayed Erendis as well, and together with his wife [[Almarian]], Tar-Meneldur attempted to mediate between the two. For a time they were successful, and Aldarion and Erendis were wed, but Aldarion soon left again for Middle-earth. It was during his long absence in Middle-earth soon after their marriage, that Erendis gave up hope in Aldarion and left the royal court for her home. By the time Aldarion returned, even Tar-Meneldur's best attempts to heal relations between them could not heal the breach.

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Meneldur’s son Anardil grew swiftly and became known as [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]]. Like his grandfather Vëantur, Aldarion became enamoured of the sea. In {{SA|725}} Vëantur invited Aldarion to sail with him to [[Middle-earth]]; to this plan Meneldur gave his reluctant consent. When the voyagers returned in {{SA|727|n}} Meneldur’s joy was great, but soon his son begged leave to sail again. Two more long voyages followed (in {{SA|730|n}} and {{SA|735|n}}). However, in {{SA|740|n}} Tar-Elendil relinquished the Sceptre to Tar-Meneldur, and for the comfort of his father Aldarion remained at home for awhile.

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Near the end of Tar-Meneldur's rule, [[Gil-galad]] sent him a letter via Aldarion that requested the aid of the King and his people against a new [[Shadow]] (which was actually the first stirring of [[Sauron]]) that had arisen in the East of Middle-earth. Tar-Meneldur was unable to decide how to respond to this request. Recognizing that his son Aldarion was more aware of the troubles, and was a powerful leader of men, Tar-Meneldur resigned in favour of him, far earlier than was expected.

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But after a time the sea-longing came upon Aldarion anew. He formed a [[Guild of Venturers]] and left [[Armenelos]] to reside on his ship [[Eämbar]]. Then Tar-Meneldur looked coldly upon the sea-enterprises of his son, believing that they engendered restlessness and a desire for dominion over other lands. Father and son became estranged but Almarian supported Aldarion and thus Tar-Meneldur let matters proceed unhindered. Tar-Meneldur did try to curb his son's activities by prohibiting the cutting of trees for shipbuilding, but this only resulted in Aldarion's seeking lumber in Middle-earth.

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Tar-Meneldur and Almarian had three children: one son, [[Anardil of Númenor|Anardil]] (better known as [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]]); and two daughters, [[Ailinel]] and [[Almiel]].

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In {{SA|800}} Tar-Meneldur commanded his son to cease voyaging, for Aldarion was of an age (one hundred years old) to be proclaimed the King's Heir. The two were then reconciled, for a time. However, six years later Aldarion sought and obtained Tar-Meneldur's grudging leave to go to sea again. At the same time Almarian and Tar-Meneldur were encouraging Aldarion to marry, and in the Queen's household there was one, [[Erendis]], who attracted the prince’s attention. Although Aldarion did fall in love with Erendis it did not prevent him from sailing again. When he returned from this journey Tar-Meneldur forbade his son from leaving, yet Aldarion did so in defiance of the King. Hard upon his return Aldarion left for a twenty-year voyage which disquieted the King.

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Tar-Meneldur rejoiced when Aldarion and Erendis were finally betrothed in {{SA|858}}, yet they were not married until {{SA|870|n}} after Aldarion had gone on yet another sea venture. Aldarion and Erendis' marriage proved to be unhappy and only produced one child, their daughter [[Tar-Ancalimë| Ancalimë]].

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In {{SA|882}} Aldarion brought [[Gil-galad's letter|a letter]] from King [[Gil-galad]] to Tar-Meneldur. In it the King of the Elves warned Tar-Meneldur that a new shadow was arisen in the East and beseeched him for aid. From this letter Tar-Meneldur learned that his son had aided the Elves and knew much of what these matters portended. Recognizing that his son was better equipped to handle this menace, Tar-Meneldur resolved to resign the Sceptre to his son; this he did in the year {{SA|883|n}}.<ref name="Wife"/>

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Tar-Meneldur passed the Sceptre to his son long before due time. He lived for 59 more years before he died in {{SA|942}}.<ref name="Kings"/>

Meneldur's great passion was stargazing and learning all he could about the Heavens from the lore of Elves and Men. To study the movements of the stars, he built a tower in the Forostar, the northernmost part of Númenor, since the sky was clearer there than anywhere else on the isle.[3] Meneldur only left the tower when he inherited the Sceptre, but even after becoming King his interest in the stars did not cease.[1]

Meneldur’s son Anardil grew swiftly and became known as Aldarion. Like his grandfather Vëantur, Aldarion became enamoured of the sea. In S.A.725 Vëantur invited Aldarion to sail with him to Middle-earth; to this plan Meneldur gave his reluctant consent. When the voyagers returned in 727 Meneldur’s joy was great, but soon his son begged leave to sail again. Two more long voyages followed (in 730 and 735). However, in 740 Tar-Elendil relinquished the Sceptre to Tar-Meneldur, and for the comfort of his father Aldarion remained at home for awhile.

But after a time the sea-longing came upon Aldarion anew. He formed a Guild of Venturers and left Armenelos to reside on his ship Eämbar. Then Tar-Meneldur looked coldly upon the sea-enterprises of his son, believing that they engendered restlessness and a desire for dominion over other lands. Father and son became estranged but Almarian supported Aldarion and thus Tar-Meneldur let matters proceed unhindered. Tar-Meneldur did try to curb his son's activities by prohibiting the cutting of trees for shipbuilding, but this only resulted in Aldarion's seeking lumber in Middle-earth.

In S.A.800 Tar-Meneldur commanded his son to cease voyaging, for Aldarion was of an age (one hundred years old) to be proclaimed the King's Heir. The two were then reconciled, for a time. However, six years later Aldarion sought and obtained Tar-Meneldur's grudging leave to go to sea again. At the same time Almarian and Tar-Meneldur were encouraging Aldarion to marry, and in the Queen's household there was one, Erendis, who attracted the prince’s attention. Although Aldarion did fall in love with Erendis it did not prevent him from sailing again. When he returned from this journey Tar-Meneldur forbade his son from leaving, yet Aldarion did so in defiance of the King. Hard upon his return Aldarion left for a twenty-year voyage which disquieted the King.

Tar-Meneldur rejoiced when Aldarion and Erendis were finally betrothed in S.A.858, yet they were not married until 870 after Aldarion had gone on yet another sea venture. Aldarion and Erendis' marriage proved to be unhappy and only produced one child, their daughter Ancalimë.

In S.A.882 Aldarion brought a letter from King Gil-galad to Tar-Meneldur. In it the King of the Elves warned Tar-Meneldur that a new shadow was arisen in the East and beseeched him for aid. From this letter Tar-Meneldur learned that his son had aided the Elves and knew much of what these matters portended. Recognizing that his son was better equipped to handle this menace, Tar-Meneldur resolved to resign the Sceptre to his son; this he did in the year 883.[1]

Tar-Meneldur passed the Sceptre to his son long before due time. He lived for 59 more years before he died in S.A.942.[2]

Etymology

All of Tar-Meneldur's names were in Quenya. Meneldur means "Servant of the Heavens" (from Quenya menel "the Heavens" and -ndur "servant"); Írimon took this name because of his love for stargazing. Írimon itself means "Beautiful Man" (from írima "beautiful" and -on, a masculine suffix). Elentirmo is another name that referred to his interest in the Heavens; it signifies "Star Watcher" (from elen "star", tir "watch", and -mo, a masculine agentive suffix). Like all the rulers of Númenor who took their royal names in Quenya, Meneldur added the prefix tar- ("high") to his title when he received the Sceptre.